Classes to resume after students sickened by odor

CORTLAND — Classes are expected to resume at a northern Illinois elementary school after more than 60 students, teachers and staff were treated at a hospital when they became overcome by a sour odor from a nearby landfill.

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By The Associated Press

The State Journal-Register

By The Associated Press

Posted Jan. 15, 2014 at 8:42 AM

By The Associated Press
Posted Jan. 15, 2014 at 8:42 AM

CORTLAND — Classes are expected to resume at a northern Illinois elementary school after more than 60 students, teachers and staff were treated at a hospital when they became overcome by a sour odor from a nearby landfill.

The (DeKalb) Daily Chronicle reports the incident at Cortland Elementary School was reported Tuesday morning. The 530-student school is about three miles from DeKalb.

Authorities say the smell likely came from the landfill when a contractor tapped a pocket of decomposing trash. Officials haven't determined what gas was released, but doctors say the 63 people taken to Kishwaukee Hospital were treated for low levels of carbon monoxide exposure.

Environmental regulators are expected to visit the landfill later this week.

Superintendent James Briscoe says employees opened the school's doors to air out the building.